Biblical figures who portrayed great humility are Daniel, the apostle Paul, Mary, David, among others. Not by coincidence, these are also some of the most conspicuous individual in the Bible, who also pleased God the most.
We learn that is important to such a high degree, that an absence of humility can impede salvation and God’s presence in a person’s life. Humility is one of the most important qualities in a human heart, as it allows the person to see his or her own flaws, be more open to God, and be more likely to become a fertile ground for other good qualities. According to the Bible, humility leads to wisdom, wellbeing, a better relationship with God (as seen on Revelation 3:17) and salvation.
The Bible says the man is dust, therefore anything other than humility is inappropriate in the eyes of God. Lacking humility is grounds for a lot of trouble in the eyes of God. There is lots that has happened in the Bible due to figures that lacked humility. Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Haman, the church of Laodicea. So, let’s dive into 12 important Scriptures about humility.
Table of Contents
Here Are 12 Important and Beautiful Bible Verses About Humility:
1. Proverbs 22:4:
4 “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.”
This Bible verse is beautiful and conveys great wisdom for the reader. Often, humility and fear of the Lord go hand in hand, as those who fall short of humility are not likely to fear God very much, since they rely on themselves more.
2. Proverbs 11:2:
2 “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.”
This Bible verse shows us that often with humility comes wisdom, as humble individuals can often gauge life situations better than those who are blinded by pride and arrogance.
3. Proverbs 16:18-19:
18 “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
This is one of the most powerful Bible verses about humility, and it shows one of the most potent consequences of an absence of humility: destruction. Nowhere else in the world can we find such beautiful advice regarding humility and pride, but in the Bible. It’s better to be thankful and content than to overflow with pride, as that can easily facilitate other sins.
4. Micah 6:8:
8 “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Noticing how the prophet Micah states that walking humbly is required, we can realize it’s so important to maintain humility in our hearts always; pride is resolutely incompatible in our walks with God.
5. Daniel 5:22:
22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven.”
The chapter 5 of Daniel describes a powerful event in which Nebuchadnezzar’s son, Belshazzar saw a hand (without a body) writing on a wall. We learn that Belshazzar’s lack of humility had precluded him from honoring God in the way he should have.
It’s a powerful instance in which we see that God pays attention to the silent affairs of the heart. Hopefully, he’ll find humility in us and not pride.
6. Psalm 119:71:
71 “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”
This is the NKJV translation, but other translations of this Bible verse state: “it is good for me that I have been humiliated.” It shows us that when we might come to hold pride in our hearts, our amazing God might do us the favor of bringing us down from our high horse in an effort to save us, as this beautiful Psalm conveys.
7. Proverbs 31:20:
20 “She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Many Christian women strive towards becoming the Proverbs 31 woman, and in this Bible verse, we learn one beautiful quality of the Proverbs 31 woman: humility.
The Proverbs 31 woman will have a heart humble enough to extend her hands to the poor, and not eschew them.
8. Psalm 138:6:
6 “Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.”
God is not even near the proud.
Even if we don’t know much about what the Bible says about humility, this incredible Bible verse will let us know one of the most important things: God will not even look at us if there is a shred of pride and arrogance in us. In this Bible verse we learn that God’s utter displeasure with pride results in being ignored by Him.
9. Luke 6:20:
20 “Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
Some might wonder, what does it mean that the kingdom of God belongs to the poor? Do I have to become poor to have a piece in the kingdom of God?
In this Bible verse, the word “poor” does not actually refer to an individual of very little money, instead the word “poor” comes from the Greek word “ptochoi” which is means a low status in society; this could apply to those of scarce financial resources but it is regardless of financial means. This was the case of the tax collectors, who had large financial resources but had a low status in society.
So, the words of our beautiful Lord in this Bible verse mean that the kingdom of God belongs to those of low status in a society, and this is because of their inherent humility, regardless of financial connotations. Historically, this was the case in the Greco-Roman world, as there is evidence that in the Roman empire the first Christians were of lesser status.
This Bible verse contains one of the most important teaching about humility in the Bible, as it encapsulates that God is closer to those in the lesser or more insignificant segments of a society than to those in the higher echelons of society, solely because of their inherent humility.
10. Matthew 11:29-30:
29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Beautifully, of course our Lord Jesus Christ is the quintessential example of humility for all Christians, choosing to come to Earth in a poor family and be born in a manger.
11. Matthew 18:2-5:
2 “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
Not underestimating the humility of a child, the Lord shows us we should humble ourselves like children. The inherent simplicity and humility of a child is a great example of desirable qualities in Christian adults.
12. 1 Peter 5:5-6:
5 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”
Noticing how the apostle Peter says “clothed with humility,” this a powerful Bible verse. Some Christians might have difficulty humbling themselves, but the apostle provides beautiful encouragement stating that He will exalt us in due time, similar to Psalm 37:6.
I hope you enjoyed these Bible verses about humility!
